KW Wellness

A concept that has been quietly evolving over the past few years is the rise of wellness “third spaces.”

Sociologist Ray Oldenburg originally coined the term third place to describe environments outside of home (first place) and work (second place) where people gather and build relationships, historically places like cafés, bars, libraries, and community centers.

Today, that concept is being reimagined.

Across cities globally, a new category of wellness-centered third spaces is emerging. These environments combine social connection with health-oriented experiences, offering things like saunas, cold plunges, breath work sessions, recovery lounges, and sober social bars.

Examples include concepts like Bathhouse, Othership, and now NRG Haus in Toronto, a social wellness destination designed around nervous system regulation, recovery, and community.

What makes this trend particularly interesting is that these businesses are not simply wellness studios. They are becoming a new form of social infrastructure within cities.

As consumer priorities shift toward preventative health, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection, spaces designed around wellness are beginning to fill the role that traditional social venues once held.

From a real estate perspective, this represents an emerging category of tenant and development opportunity, one that blends wellness, hospitality, and community design.

The idea of “third places” isn’t new. The form they take may be as the trends are clearly evolving.

A growing trend in home design is putting wellbeing at the center of how homes are built and designed.

For years, wellness in homes often meant adding a gym, sauna, or cold plunge.

Designers are now thinking much more holistically about how spaces support daily life — from natural light and airflow to quiet areas for rest and reflection.

In other words, homes are being designed not just to look beautiful, they are designed to help people feel better in the spaces where they live every day.

This article from House Beautiful highlights several wellness design trends emerging for 2026 and beyond.

As real estate professionals, it's interesting to consider how these ideas may start influencing what buyers look for in a home.

See more: bit.ly/4kUVgKe

Expect it to touch every corner of the home.

What Does Wellness Have to Do With Real Estate?

When most people hear the word wellness, they think about things like fitness, nutrition, or meditation.

Yet, wellness is also shaped by something we experience every day:

the environments where we live, work, and play.

Real estate professionals are uniquely connected to the places that influence people’s lives the most — their homes, neighborhoods, and communities.

Think about it.

Walkable neighborhoods
Access to parks and nature
Natural light in a home
Spaces for movement, rest, and connection
Communities that support belonging

These requests aren’t just design preferences.

They connect to aspects of wellness and overall well-being.

At KW Wellness, we explore the intersection of wellness, real estate, and Community (with a capital C) and how the places we live can support healthier, more connected lives.

Because wellness isn’t only about habits, longevity, and good health.

It’s also about where we live and the places we call home.

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